Perhaps Houston has not done enough to protect United/Continental. And maybe we should look at ways for U/Con to be more profitable. Clearly having a level playing field for competition to United isn't good enough. May I make a few suggestions to appease the high and Exhaulted United Airlines.
1) The hell with merely restricting international competition at Hobby. Clearly if United is dropping a Baltimore flight, Southwest is domestic competion. How about United demand that Houston close Hobby Airport altogether. That way, they could preserve the United Hub at IAH.
2) Since competition from an airline that doesn't interline is unacceptable, Let's just ban Southwest from IAH as well. They were there once and the COULD come back. Let's just get Barney Fife out here and "Nip it in the bud."
3) International traffic is vital to the survival of United at IAH. And everyone in Texas knows it's only 3-4 hours to drive from DFW to IAH. With American in BK, LET'S JUST BAN ALL INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC AT DFW. After all they already repealed the Wright ammendment. It's all for IAH and United.
4) Finally, Let's ban all international private flights from IAH to anywhere. remember, this is all about protection for United Airlines.
Let's hope these few simple steps can appease the lord god United so they will bless the peons of Houston with their continued presence.
What a bunch of whiny little babies.